CONFLAGRATIONS AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3635, 7 May 1927, Page 2

CONFLAGRATIONS AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

OCCIDENTAL HOTEL BURNT TO

GROUND.

A disastrous conflagration occurred in Palmerston North at ahout twenty minutes to four this morning, resulting in the almost total destruction of the Occidental Hotel on the corner of the Square and Fitzherbert Avenue.

Practically nothing was saved, and licensee, employees and hoarders had considerable difficulty in escaping, some of them suffering slight burns. The main seat of the outbreak appeared to be near the bar,' and the clock tower was soon enveloped in flame.

Although six leads of host* were concentrated on the hotel, it was quickly evident that there was no hope of saving the main building, and the principal efforts of the brigade were then directed towards preventing the spreal of the fire back in the big business block adjoining.

These efforts were partially successful, but not before the premises of W. Crystal], tobacconist; B. H. Just, nurseryman; Worrall, bootmaker, and Byers, confectioner, were badly damaged both by fire and wafer. The stock of D. M. George, draper, also had suffered from water. The Occidental Hotel was the property of the Palmerston North Borough Council, and had recently been leased to Mr. T. Dwan, who sub-leased to Mr. Bradley. As the latter’s lease had expired a clearing sale of the whole of the contents of the hotel was advertised for next Saturday.

The 12-roomed two-storied house situated at 93 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North, was totally destroyed by fire last night. The building was owned by the Waldegrave Estate, and occupied by Mrs. J. R. Rickard. The house was unoccupied at the time the outbreak occurred. Mrs. Rickard was out for a few minutes, and on returning home she entered a bedroom on the ground floor to remove her. coat, and found the room enveloped in flames. The brigade was called immediately, but the fire had a strong hold, and nothing was saved. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. The building and contents were insured, but details are not available.